How I Bring In $4.5 Million A Year Selling Dumplings

CNBC Make It

CNBC Make It

7 min, 32 sec

The founder of Dumpling Daughter shares her personal and entrepreneurial journey, detailing the growth of her multimillion-dollar dumpling business.

Summary

  • The founder expresses her deep love for dumplings and describes them as an art form.
  • Dumpling Daughter aims to share homestyle Chinese cuisine, earning over $4.5 million last year.
  • Products are now available in grocery stores, shipped nationwide, and a cookbook has been released.
  • The founder recounts her upbringing in a fine-dining Chinese restaurant and her shift from investment banking to pursuing her passion in the culinary industry.
  • Dumpling Daughter faced challenges, including coping with high demand and dealing with a copycat competitor.

Chapter 1

Introduction to Dumpling Love

0:01 - 29 sec

The founder shares her love for dumplings and the success of Dumpling Daughter.

The founder shares her love for dumplings and the success of Dumpling Daughter.

  • The founder's passion for dumplings is deeply personal, likening them to art.
  • Dumpling Daughter's goal is to spread the founder's childhood Chinese cuisine to a broad audience.
  • The company has seen significant financial success, with substantial earnings reported over the last year.

Chapter 2

Expansion of Dumpling Daughter

0:42 - 41 sec

The business expansion of Dumpling Daughter includes a variety of offerings and sales achievements.

The business expansion of Dumpling Daughter includes a variety of offerings and sales achievements.

  • Dumplings are now available in grocery store frozen sections and shipped directly to customers.
  • The business sells tens of thousands of dumplings monthly, both through shipping and its restaurants.
  • Restaurants are a significant part of the business, contributing millions to the revenue.

Chapter 3

Founder's Background and Shift to Culinary

1:23 - 1 min, 17 sec

The founder reflects on her upbringing and transition from finance to the culinary world.

The founder reflects on her upbringing and transition from finance to the culinary world.

  • Raised in a prestigious Chinese restaurant, the founder was inspired by the culinary excellence of her parents.
  • After a stint in investment banking, she realized her true passion was in food and cooking.
  • With minimal savings, she moved back home to learn from her mother and lay the groundwork for her future business.

Chapter 4

Realizing the Dumpling Dream

2:51 - 1 min, 52 sec

The founder's determination leads to the establishment and growth of Dumpling Daughter.

The founder's determination leads to the establishment and growth of Dumpling Daughter.

  • The founder was motivated by her husband's encouragement and her father's advice to be self-sufficient.
  • Despite challenges, the business flourished, with high demand and positive press.
  • The founder adapted the dumpling-making process to balance tradition with the need for mass production.

Chapter 5

Adapting to Business Challenges

4:56 - 1 min, 17 sec

Dumpling Daughter navigates through copycat competitors and the challenges of rapid growth.

Dumpling Daughter navigates through copycat competitors and the challenges of rapid growth.

  • The business faced adversity when former employees opened a similar concept, leading to a lawsuit.
  • Customer demand and positive response prompted the brand to expand further.
  • The pandemic posed new challenges, but the business adapted by diversifying its offerings and strategies.

Chapter 6

Forging Ahead with Innovation

6:22 - 27 sec

The founder continues to innovate and grow Dumpling Daughter despite the uncertain business climate.

The founder continues to innovate and grow Dumpling Daughter despite the uncertain business climate.

  • In response to the pandemic, the business expanded its product line and services, including a new restaurant.
  • The founder explored shipping options and created a direct-to-consumer website.
  • Despite the high-risk nature of the consumer products business, the founder remains invested in the company's growth.

Chapter 7

Reflections and Future Aspirations

6:57 - 31 sec

The founder contemplates her journey with Dumpling Daughter and her aspirations for the brand's future.

The founder contemplates her journey with Dumpling Daughter and her aspirations for the brand's future.

  • The founder acknowledges the need to establish her own legacy separate from her parents' success.
  • Dumpling Daughter has affirmed the founder's ability to be independent and self-sufficient.
  • The business aims to cater to contemporary customers and continue its upward trajectory.

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